How to Get SMUD SEED Verified: 3 Steps and Benefits

SMUD’s Supplier Education and Economic Development (SEED) program gives local small businesses up to a 5% bid advantage and access to sheltered-market contracts. Here is how to qualify.

Getting SMUD SEED verified gives a Sacramento-area small business a real edge with one of the region’s largest buyers: SMUD aims to award 20% or more of eligible contracts to SEED vendors. Verification takes three steps, and SMUD confirms eligibility within 2-3 business days.

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) sets a goal of awarding 20% or more of eligible contracts to small businesses in its Supplier Education and Economic Development (SEED) program. For a local small business, SEED verification is one of the most valuable credentials in the region.

Who qualifies

Your small business headquarters must be located within SMUD’s service area (SMUD publishes a service-area map on its SEED page).

How to get SEED verified: three steps

1. Register as a small business with DGS through Cal eProcure.
2. Create a vendor profile at smud.org/VendorPortal.
3. Complete the SEED application in your vendor profile and certify. SMUD confirms eligibility within 2-3 business days.

What SEED vendors receive

Bid price advantage: up to 5% (maximum $250,000), based on the lowest responsible bid.
RFP evaluation: up to 10 evaluation points on requests for proposals.
Sheltered market: solicitations open only to SEED vendors, up to $82,000 for bids and $246,000 for multi-year service agreements.

Questions

SMUD SEED program: SEED.mgr@smud.org, 1-916-732-5600.

Key takeaways

SEED is for small businesses headquartered in SMUD’s service area.
Three steps: DGS small business registration, SMUD vendor profile, SEED application.
Benefits: up to 5% bid advantage, up to 10 RFP points and sheltered-market contracts.